Anthracnose is described as which of the following?

• A. One type is found on sycamore; symptoms are leaves with brown lesions, witches brooms and twig dieback, cankers may develop twigs.
• B. Caused by bacterium; susceptible hosts include creeping euonymus, rose, willow and poplar.
• C. Controlled by mechanically severing root grafts.
• D. A fungal disease affecting roots.

Answer: (A)

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that commonly affects sycamore. The description—leaves with brown lesions, witches’ broom, twig dieback, and cankers that may form on twigs—fits this disease pattern, since anthracnose attacks leaves and shoots and can cause twig dieback and twig cankers. It’s not caused by a bacterium, and anthracnose is not primarily a root disease nor controlled by mechanically severing root grafts, so those statements don’t describe it.